Irish Derby

The Irish Derby (Irish: Dearbaí na hÉireann) is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs (2,414 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late June or early July.

For the greyhound race, see Irish Greyhound Derby.
Irish Derby
Group 1 race
Assert, oil on canvas
Painting by Bob Demuyser (1920-2003)
LocationCurragh Racecourse
Co. Kildare, Ireland
Inaugurated1866
Race typeFlat / Thoroughbred
SponsorDubai Duty Free
WebsiteCurragh
Race information
Distance1m 4f (2,414 metres)
SurfaceTurf
TrackRight-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds
excluding geldings
Weight9 st 0 lb
Allowances
3 lb for fillies
Purse€1,500,000 (2018)
1st: €855,000
Irish Derby
2019
Sovereign Anthony Van Dyck Norway
Shirley Heights, Derby winner by Bob Demuyser (1920-2003)

It is Ireland's equivalent of the Epsom Derby, and it is currently held three weeks after the English race.

History

The earliest version of the Irish Derby was an event called the O'Darby Stakes. This was established in 1817, but it was discontinued after 1824. A subsequent race titled the Curragh Derby was inaugurated in 1848, but this was again short-lived.

The modern Irish Derby was created by the 3rd Earl of Howth, the 3rd Marquess of Drogheda and the 3rd Earl of Charlemont. It was first run in 1866, and it was initially contested over 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 3 yards. It was extended by 9 yards in 1869, and cut to its present distance in 1872. The first Epsom Derby winner to achieve victory in the Irish version was Orby, trained in Ireland by Fred McCabe, in 1907.

The Irish Derby became a major international race in 1962, when its prize money was substantially increased. Joe McGrath, a founder of the Irish Hospitals' Sweepstake, combined the race with the sweepstake, and it became known as the Irish Sweeps Derby. The event began to regularly attract the winners of the Epsom Derby, and Santa Claus became the second horse to win both races in 1964.

The Irish Derby was sponsored by Budweiser from 1986 to 2007, and it has been backed by Dubai Duty Free since 2008. It is currently staged on the second day of the Curragh's three-day Irish Derby Festival meeting.

A total of eighteen horses have now completed the English-Irish Derby double, and the most recent was Harzand in 2016.

Records

Leading jockey (6 wins):

  • Morny Wing – Ballyheron (1921), Waygood (1923), Rock Star (1930), Rosewell (1938), Windsor Slipper (1942), Bright News (1946)

Leading trainer (13 wins):

  • Aidan O'Brien – Desert King (1997), Galileo (2001), High Chaparral (2002), Dylan Thomas (2006), Soldier of Fortune (2007), Frozen Fire (2008), Fame and Glory (2009), Cape Blanco (2010), Treasure Beach (2011), Camelot (2012),[1] Australia (2014), Capri (2017), Sovereign (2019)

Leading owner (14 wins): (includes part ownership)

  • Michael Tabor – Desert King (1997), Montjeu (1999), Galileo (2001), High Chaparral (2002), Hurricane Run (2005), Dylan Thomas (2006), Soldier of Fortune (2007), Frozen Fire (2008), Fame and Glory (2009), Cape Blanco (2010), Treasure Beach (2011), Australia (2014), Capri (2017), Sovereign (2019)

A Unique Racing Record - Only Owner to complete the Derby and Grand National Double

  • William Brophy, Herbertstown House, Two-Mile-House, Naas, Co. Kildare. Farmer, Breeder and Owner

In 1880 William Brophy completed a unique double by owning the winner of both the Irish Derby with King of the Bees and the Irish Grand National with Controller. Also uniquely both winners were out of the same Dam Winged Bee.

Winners since 1946
Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Time
1946 Bright News Morny Wing Darby Rogers James McVey junior
1947 Sayajirao Edgar Britt Sam Armstrong HH Maharaja of Baroda
1948 Nathoo Rae Johnstone Frank Butters Aga Khan III
1949 Hindostan Rae Johnstone Frank Butters Aga Khan III
1950 Dark Warrior Jack Thompson Paddy Prendergast Mr Francis More O'Ferrall
1951 Fraise du Bois II Charlie Smirke Harry Wragg HH Begum Aga Khan
1952 Thirteen Of Diamonds Jimmy Mullane Paddy Prendergast A L Hawkins
1953 Chamier[a] Bill Rickaby Vincent O'Brien Mrs F L Vickerson
1954 Zarathustra Paddy Powell Jnr Michael Hurley Mr Terrence J S Gray
1955 Panaslipper Jimmy Eddery Seamus McGrath Joseph McGrath
1956 Talgo Manny Mercer Harry Wragg Gerald A Oldham
1957 Ballymoss T. P. Burns Vincent O'Brien John McShain
1958 Sindon Liam Ward Michael Dawson Anne B Biddle
1959 Fidalgo Joe Mercer Harry Wragg Gerald A Oldham 2:33.5
1960 Chamour Garnie Bougoure Vincent O'Brien F Walter Burmann 2:37.5
1961 Your Highness Bert Holmes Humphrey Cottrill Mrs Gladys Stanhope Joel 2:33.5
1962 Tambourine Roger Poincelet Etienne Pollet Mrs Howell Jackson 2:28.80
1963 Ragusa Garnie Bougoure Paddy Prendergast Jim Mullion 2:45.60
1964 Santa Claus Willie Burke Mick Rogers John Ismay 2:35.60
1965 Meadow Court Lester Piggott Paddy Prendergast Bell / McMahon / Crosby 2:46.80
1966 Sodium Frankie Durr George Todd Radha Sigtia 2:31.50
1967 Ribocco Lester Piggott Fulke Johnson Houghton Charles Engelhard 2:32.40
1968 Ribero Lester Piggott Fulke Johnson Houghton Charles Engelhard 2:33.90
1969 Prince Regent Geoff Lewis Etienne Pollet Countess de la Valdène 2:36.10
1970 Nijinsky Liam Ward Vincent O'Brien Charles Engelhard 2:36.80
1971 Irish Ball Alfred Gibert Philippe Lallié Emile Littler 2:33.80
1972 Steel Pulse Bill Williamson Scobie Breasley Ravi Tikkoo 2:39.80
1973 Weavers' Hall George McGrath Seamus McGrath Seamus McGrath 2:39.00
1974 English Prince Yves Saint-Martin Peter Walwyn Vera Hue-Williams 2:33.40
1975 Grundy Pat Eddery Peter Walwyn Carlo Vittadini 2:31.10
1976 Malacate Philippe Paquet François Boutin María Félix Berger 2:31.20
1977 The Minstrel Lester Piggott Vincent O'Brien Robert Sangster 2:32.00
1978 Shirley Heights Greville Starkey John Dunlop 2nd Earl of Halifax 2:32.30
1979 Troy Willie Carson Dick Hern Sobell / Weinstock 2:30.60
1980 Tyrnavos Tony Murray Bruce Hobbs George Cambanis 2:43.80
1981 Shergar Lester Piggott Michael Stoute HH Aga Khan IV 2:32.70
1982 Assert Christy Roche David O'Brien Robert Sangster 2:33.20
1983 Shareef Dancer Walter Swinburn Michael Stoute Maktoum Al Maktoum 2:29.40
1984 El Gran Senor Pat Eddery Vincent O'Brien Robert Sangster 2:31.50
1985 Law Society Pat Eddery Vincent O'Brien Stavros Niarchos 2:29.90
1986 Shahrastani Walter Swinburn Michael Stoute HH Aga Khan IV 2:32.10
1987 Sir Harry Lewis John Reid Barry Hills Howard Kaskel 2:40.20
1988 Kahyasi Ray Cochrane Luca Cumani HH Aga Khan IV 2:32.50
1989 Old Vic Steve Cauthen Henry Cecil Sheikh Mohammed 2:29.90
1990 Salsabil Willie Carson John Dunlop Hamdan Al Maktoum 2:33.00
1991 Generous Alan Munro Paul Cole Prince Fahd bin Salman 2:33.30
1992 St Jovite Christy Roche Jim Bolger Virginia Kraft Payson 2:25.60
1993 Commander in Chief Pat Eddery Henry Cecil Khalid Abdullah 2:31.20
1994 Balanchine Frankie Dettori Hilal Ibrahim Godolphin 2:32.70
1995 Winged Love Olivier Peslier André Fabre Sheikh Mohammed 2:30.10
1996 Zagreb Pat Shanahan Dermot Weld Allen Paulson 2:30.60
1997 Desert King Christy Roche Aidan O'Brien Michael Tabor 2:32.50
1998 Dream Well Cash Asmussen Pascal Bary Niarchos Family 2:44.30
1999 Montjeu Cash Asmussen John Hammond Michael Tabor 2:30.10
2000 Sinndar Johnny Murtagh John Oxx HH Aga Khan IV 2:33.90
2001 Galileo Michael Kinane Aidan O'Brien Magnier / Tabor 2:27.10
2002 High Chaparral Michael Kinane Aidan O'Brien Tabor / Magnier 2:32.20
2003 Alamshar Johnny Murtagh John Oxx Aga Khan IV 2:28.20
2004 Grey Swallow Pat Smullen Dermot Weld Rochelle Quinn 2:28.70
2005 Hurricane Run Kieren Fallon André Fabre Michael Tabor 2:29.40
2006 Dylan Thomas Kieren Fallon Aidan O'Brien Magnier / Tabor 2:29.70
2007 Soldier of Fortune Seamie Heffernan Aidan O'Brien Magnier / Tabor / Smith 2:36.02
2008 Frozen Fire Seamie Heffernan Aidan O'Brien Tabor / Smith / Magnier 2:31.96
2009 Fame and Glory Johnny Murtagh Aidan O'Brien Smith / Magnier / Tabor 2:30.87
2010 Cape Blanco Johnny Murtagh Aidan O'Brien Smith / Magnier / Tabor 2:28.68
2011 Treasure Beach Colm O'Donoghue Aidan O'Brien Smith / Magnier / Tabor 2:33.26
2012 Camelot Joseph O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Derrick Smith 2:43.96
2013 Trading Leather Kevin Manning Jim Bolger Mrs J S Bolger 2:27.17
2014 Australia Joseph O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Smith / Magnier / Tabor 2:33.19
2015 Jack Hobbs William Buick John Gosden Godolphin & Partners 2:34:93
2016 Harzand Pat Smullen Dermot Weld Aga Khan IV 2:38:05
2017 Capri Seamie Heffernan Aidan O'Brien Smith / Magnier / Tabor 2:35.45
2018 Latrobe Donnacha O'Brien Joseph Patrick O'Brien Lloyd Williams 2:32.62
2019 Sovereign Padraig Beggy Aidan O'Brien Magnier / Tabor / Smith 2:31.50

a Premonition finished first in 1953 but was disqualified.

Earlier winners
  • 1866: Selim
  • 1867: Golden Plover
  • 1868: Madeira
  • 1869: The Scout
  • 1870: Billy Pitt
  • 1871: Maid of Athens
  • 1872: Trickstress
  • 1873: Kyrle Daly
  • 1874: Ben Battle
  • 1875: Innishowen
  • 1876: Umpire
  • 1877: Redskin
  • 1878: Madame du Barry
  • 1879: Soulouque
  • 1880: King of the Bees
  • 1881: Master Ned
  • 1882: Sortie
  • 1883: Sylph
  • 1884: Theologian
  • 1885: St Kevin
  • 1886: Theodemir
  • 1887: Pet Fox
  • 1888: Theodolite
  • 1889: Tragedy
  • 1890: Kentish Fire
  • 1891: Narraghmore
  • 1892: Roy Neil
  • 1893: Bowline
  • 1894: Blairfinde
  • 1895: Portmarnock
  • 1896: Gulsalberk
  • 1897: Wales
  • 1898: Noble Howard
  • 1899: Oppressor
  • 1900: Gallinaria
  • 1901: Carrigavalla
  • 1902: St Brendan
  • 1903: Lord Rossmore
  • 1904: Royal Arch
  • 1905: Flax Park
  • 1906: Killeagh
  • 1907: Orby
  • 1908: Wild Bouquet
  • 1909: Bachelor's Double
  • 1910: Aviator
  • 1911: Shanballymore
  • 1912: Civility
  • 1913: Bachelor's Wedding
  • 1914: Land of Song
  • 1915: Ballaghtobin
  • 1916: Furore
  • 1917: First Flier
  • 1918: King John
  • 1919: Loch Lomond
  • 1920: He Goes
  • 1921: Ballyheron
  • 1922: Spike Island
  • 1923: Waygood
  • 1924: Haine / Zodiac 1
  • 1925: Zionist
  • 1926: Embargo
  • 1927: Knight of the Grail
  • 1928: Baytown
  • 1929: Kopi
  • 1930: Rock Star
  • 1931: Sea Serpent
  • 1932: Dastur
  • 1933: Harinero
  • 1934: Patriot King / Primero[lower-alpha 1]
  • 1935: Museum
  • 1936: Raeburn
  • 1937: Phideas
  • 1938: Rosewell
  • 1939: Mondragon
  • 1940: Turkhan
  • 1941: Sol Oriens
  • 1942: Windsor Slipper
  • 1943: The Phoenix
  • 1944: Slide On
  • 1945: Piccadilly
  1. The 1924 and 1934 races were dead-heats and have joint winners.

See also

References
  1. "Camelot completes Epsom and Irish Derby double". BBC Sport. 30 June 2012.
  • galopp-sieger.de – Irish Derby Stakes.
  • horseracingintfed.com – International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Irish Derby (2018).
  • irishracinggreats.com – Irish Derby (Group 1).
  • pedigreequery.com – Irish Derby – Curragh.
  • tbheritage.com – Irish Derby Stakes.
  • Abelson, Edward; John Tyrrel (1993). The Breedon Book of Horse Racing Records. Breedon Books. pp. 103–106. ISBN 1-873626-15-0.
  • The Sweeney guide to the Irish turf from 1501 to 2001 /by Tony & Annie Sweeney in association with Francis Hyland ; photographs by Caroline Norris ... [et al.].
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